We are donating 20% of every bag sold to the foundation to support their wonderful work, who are committed to conservation through captive breeding, education and reintroduction. The Aspinall Foundation work in some of the world’s most fragile environments to save endangered animals and return them to the wild.

Is that a Cambridge Satchel I see?

As a member of the CSC family I often ask myself “Did that just happen?” during a casual day at work, never more so than last month on a very hot June summers day in the middle of what is essentially a very large field in Kent I find myself, Julie (our founder) and our photographer surrounded by 6 humongous and very inquisitive giraffes.

Girls in the club, dancing around their bags

The Aspinall Foundation kindly gave us VIP access to shoot our collection amongst the 600-acre park that the Rothschild giraffes freely roam. There are 9 Rothschild giraffes at Port Lympne including a new baby calf, aww. Rothschild giraffes are usually found in Uganda and Kenya, they are endangered and sadly there is an estimated population of less than 2500 mature individuals in the wild.

We were told that the giraffes can be quite temperamental and that they may simply shun us in favour of some yummy tree leaves (they spend up to 75% of their day eating), so not to take offense should they not wish to take a selfie.

Is that not the most Instagramable face you ever did see?

There we are, satchels in hand, trekking through the park in a zebra striped Land Rover (we were camouflaging rather well) and we are quiet. Very quiet. Then over the hill, what do we happen to come across but giraffes, not 1, not 2, but 6!

There they are!

What’s more interesting – the Land Rover or the Satchel? Tough choice.

They soon came bounding over (giraffes can run up to 35mph – especially when there are exclusive Cambridge Satchels in sight J ) and were keen to have a nosy in our bags.

What’s in your bag? And, can I eat it?

Watching these majestic animals move around us was simply hypnotising. Did you know that when giraffes walk they move their legs from one side then to the other side, this is unique to giraffes?

You become so transfixed by their beauty and elegant sway and boy do I have eyelash envy now, that you forget just how tall (and strong) they are. The park’s giraffe keeper had to call out to us as at one point as we got a bit too close to Bakora, notorious for being ‘quite the kicker’. Haha!

It’s my satchel now

Another fun fact – like human finger prints no two giraffes have the same coat pattern. It’s fair to say I learnt a lot that day!

We captured some truly incredible shots, and the day went down as officially the best Cambridge Satchel shoot EVER. Port Lympne is an incredible UK safari reserve and we do encourage you to check it out.

Satchel love

We have very much been looking forward to sharing these images with you. We hope you love them as much as we do. Whilst I cannot bring Bakorathe giraffe home with me, I do have some fab memories and a 4ft giraffe plushie called Viv that will make do… for now.

Shooting at Port Lympne Hotel

Shooting in the beautiful breakfast room, check out those murals on the wall!

Getting that perfect shot for the ‘Gram

The new Moroccan courtyard. So dreamy!

Back to the wild

Over the past few years alone, The Aspinall Foundation have reintroduced a range of animals back to protected reserves in their native habitats including 8 black rhino, 49 Javan langurs, 9 Javan gibbon, 11 European bison and over 60 western lowland gorillas with many new babies born; a sign of lots of happy animal families!

The Aspinall Foundation mission statement;

Provide the most natural environment possible for animals in both animal parks and be world leaders in our animal husbandry and breeding programmes.

To halt the extinction of endangered species in the wild by reintroducing animals and developing sustainable conservation activities

80% of the current animal species that are being looked after are endangered with the intention for this number to go up to 100% - on average only 15% of mammals in all Wildlife Parks/Zoos are threatened

Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve – the home of the UK’s only authentic African safari experience

Over 700 animals across 90 species call Port Lympne their home

Port Lympne Reserve and Howletts Wild Animal Park are breeding sanctuaries for rare and endangered animals and wherever possible, The Aspinall Foundation aims to send animals born in the parks to protected areas of their natural habitat where they can live free – just as they should be

The Aspinall Foundation believe in keeping their animals in a way that resembles their natural environment as closely as possible in family groups homed within large enclosures with spaces to shelter and hide, so, just like in the wild, it may take some time to spot certain animals as there are lots of natural foliage and furniture to provide shelter and camouflage

To fully immerse yourself in the safari experience, you can stay at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve and may even see Giraffe’s from your balcony!

Down the road a local farm produces fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs for the animals

Last week we hosted London Craft Week at our Covent Garden store. From 9-13 May over 200 established and up-and-coming artists joined forces to celebrate British creativity across various London outlets.

For the Cambridge Satchel Company it was a coming together of supreme British craftmanship, teaming up with Hand & Lock, London’s premier embroidery house since 1767.

Last week we hosted London Craft Week at our Covent Garden store. From 9-13 May over 200 established and up-and-coming artists joined forces to celebrate British creativity across various London outlets.

For the Cambridge Satchel Company it was a coming together of supreme British craftmanship, teaming up with Hand & Lock, London’s premier embroidery house since 1767.

On the day we had Karen, Hand & Lock’s talented embroiderer demonstrate goldwork. The demonstration featured embroidering a goldwork daisy for our new bag, The Daisy. So cute!

Karen explained that it would take over 20 hours to embroider one daisy. That’s a huge amount of love, attention and skill dedicated to Hand & Lock’s goldwork.

On display we had 2 one-of-a-kind Daisy bags with Hand & Lock goldwork daisies. Just how beautiful are they?!

We also had demonstrations from Cambridge Satchel’s very own Jo, head sample maker and the great oracle of all things Cambridge Satchel. Jo has worked with Cambridge Satchel for over 4 years, having previously designed corsets and theatrical costumes.

Jo hand cuts and produces the first samples of our handbags, fresh from our product designers drawn designs. What a cool job!

We speak to our adventurous founder, Julie Deane, about her inspiration behind the new collection …

As a little girl in South Wales, I would dream of a great adventure. To me that adventure was Africa. To go on safari and explore the vast African landscape, to breathe the same air as the leopards and giraffes that wander the plains.

We speak to our adventurous founder, Julie Deane, about her inspiration behind the new collection …

As a little girl in South Wales, I would dream of a great adventure. To me that adventure was Africa. To go on safari and explore the vast African landscape, to breathe the same air as the leopards and giraffes that wander the plains.

It was a dream that I hung onto and didn’t forget, I was hopeful that one day I might be able to make that dream a reality. And so, last year I found myself with an opportunity to visit Africa with my children, one that I seized with both hands. We were going on safari, yippie!

The leopard stalks his prey

I love and respect nature and this is an environment I feel most comfortable in, but nothing prepared me for Africa. Once there, you are forced to shake off the chains of your daily routine and quite promptly knocked out of your comfort zone.

Africa awakens your senses, you notice the little things that you might miss or perhaps take for granted back home. For me, it was early morning safaris, watching the sunrise over the plains. I couldn’t remember a time when I had stopped my usual morning routine of school runs and phone calls and just walked out to my garden to watch the sunrise. Can you?

The morning sun makes an appearance

In Africa, there is an intrinsic unity of bold and vibrant colours, where nature and wildlife complement one another, everything has a place and nothing jars.

Look at those colours!

The vivid shades of the amber sky, the rich sand of the scorched grass. The rainbow feathers of the Lilac-Breasted Roller bird (Woah, what a name!), the cool green algae that cling to the crocodile's scales. The ripples of the python’s skin and the softness of the leopard's fur provide an explosive colour palette. The colours and textures are mind-boggling and imprint on your mind forever more.

Never smile at a crocodile

The memories of my trip have now been bought back to life in this new collection. A joyous celebration of the African landscape.

Africa leaves a burning impression on your mind, so much so that it flows through every part of you long after you leave.

Although the weather has proven otherwise, it’s now May and we are officially over this cold spring (you heard it here first)!

Summer in Cambridge evokes memories of lazy hazy afternoons down by the Mill Pond, listening to the punts glide past on the River Cam (with the occasional shriek as some poor punter falls into the water, yikes!) and shedding the layers of winter whilst we sip on a glass of Pimm’s.

Although the weather has proven otherwise, it’s now May and we are officially over this cold spring (you heard it here first)!

Summer in Cambridge evokes memories of lazy hazy afternoons down by the Mill Pond, listening to the punts glide past on the River Cam (with the occasional shriek as some poor punter falls into the water, yikes!) and shedding the layers of winter whilst we sip on a glass of Pimm’s.

In anticipation for the summer sun we’re digging out our favourite dresses that were once pushed to the very depths of our wardrobes as the cold begun to envelope us, and now we’re reaching for our fun summer lovin’ bag, the Mini Satchel.

The Mini Satchel in its array of wistful evening summer sky colours (have you seen the Indian Matt Yellow? Swoon) carries those summer essentials necessary for an afternoon in Cambridge;

Sunnies (hey, we are weather optimists)

Bike lock keys (a necessity)

Lipstick (for those touch-ups after gelato)

Phone (with camera to catch fun moments with friends)

So, as we tentatively dip our toe into summer we are dedicating the first week of May to our favourite summer bag, the Mini Satchel. It might be small in stature but boy it’s big in personality!

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/announcing-our-newest-designer-collaboration-csc-x-ines-de-la-fressange2018-02-16T16:41:00+01:002018-02-16T16:45:38+01:00Announcing our Newest Designer Collaboration: CSC x Ines de la FressangeEmily Edward
We are thrilled to announce our latest collaboration for 2018; CSC x Ines de la Fressange. Just in case you’re not familiar with Ines: she is the original French style icon (her book ‘Parisian Chic’ is the last word in what’s cool in Paris), muse to Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, and our ultimate style crush. In fact, Julie is such a long-time fan of Ines that at university, she had two posters on her wall: one was a picture of a horse, and the other was of Ines for Chanel!

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Designer collaborations have been a part of our brand DNA from the very beginning here at The Cambridge Satchel Company, and it has been an honour to have teamed up with the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Comme des Garcons, J. Crew, Melissa, and Brompton over the past 10 years.

We are thrilled to announce our latest collaboration for 2018; CSC x Ines de la Fressange. Just in case you’re not familiar with Ines: she is the original French style icon (her book ‘Parisian Chic’ is the last word in what’s cool in Paris), muse to Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, and our ultimate style crush. In fact, Julie is such a long-time fan of Ines that at university, she had two posters on her wall: one was a picture of a horse, and the other was of Ines for Chanel!

Equally, Ines has long been a fan of our iconic satchels (her favourite bag style) and our British craftsmanship. When she and Julie finally met, the two immediately hit it off and the idea of the collaboration was hatched. To bring the limited edition collection to life, our design team travelled to Paris and worked very closely with Ines and her team to create the new designs.

The collection itself is a beautiful celebration of classic British and French style. It is a celebration of the timeless satchel style and our signature colours (the Oxblood and Navy feel both appropriately British and French in equal measure), but infused with a new French twist.

Our classic Tiny and 11” satchels have been reimagined in seven different styles and colours in beautiful two-tone and copper saffiano leather, and all feature copper metal hardware (for the first time). And like all of our leather bags, the entire collection has been handmade at our factory in the heart of England.

To celebrate the collaboration, we sat down with Ines to ask her tips on how to achieve a little Parisian chic (wherever you are):

How do you define Parisian style?

A mix between casual & sophisticated that seems effortless.

What differences and similarities have you found between French and British style?

French women want to give the impression that they don’t follow trends, and they are not afraid of keeping their style simple. British women want to have fun with their style and they know they won’t keep their clothes forever. Maybe one is slightly square and the other one cool! (laughs)

What is it about the satchel that appeals to you as a style?

Ask a woman her wishes for a handbag, and she will likely say:

– It should hold many things but have the right proportions.

– One should be able to easily find what is in there.

– It should be classic but stylish.

– The bag should fit with all kind of clothes.

– It should look neat but cool.

– You could wear it for work but also for weekends.

Yes I know, it’s kind of demanding list of expectations, but actually this bag has a name: the satchel!

What is always with you inside your handbag?

Foldable scissors! I almost never use them but the one day I don’t have them, I need them! I also always have:

– Wallet and credit cards

– Tissues

– 2 calligraphy markers + fountain pens + ink (Kaweco)

– Sunglasses and glasses

– A mini hair brush (Mason & Pearson, of course!)

– Keys

– My ID card and drivers licence

– Headphones

– A chain saw (no, I’m joking… I was just checking if you would read until now!)

I sometimes try not to wear the shoes that would be expected with the outfit I’m wearing, for instance wearing sandals with a long evening dress. Also when I wear something quite conventional like wool trousers, I would balance it with a sweatshirt, sneakers or a leather jacket. The idea is to stay a little rock ‘n’ roll (even when you’re dressing smartly).

What are you currently reading?

Marie Kondo’s ‘The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up’… I am currently in the process of moving home!

Have you ever visited Cambridge? If so, how did you find it?

No, but I would love to! Maybe I could go and give a lecture at the university about how to have the perfect handbag?! (laughs)

What are your top tips for anyone visiting Paris?

1) Buy my guide

2) Walk a lot

3) Have a friend there or make one quick.

4) Plan your trip and make a list of everything you want to see neighbourhood by neighbourhood.

Shop the Ines de la Fressange collaboration here. As always, don’t forget to show us how you’re styling

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/small-pleasures-to-brighten-winter2018-01-23T17:08:00+01:002018-01-24T12:16:25+01:00Small Pleasures to Brighten WinterEmily EdwardWe know the first few months of the year can feel especially long; still in the throes of winter, but without the joyous distractions of the festive season. So we’re all about the simple, small pleasures that require minimal effort or expenditure but deliver a much-needed dose of joy. Below, our suggestions for a few ways to brighten these last days of winter hibernation...

We know the first few months of the year can feel especially long; still in the throes of winter, but without the joyous distractions of the festive season. So we’re all about the simple, small pleasures that require minimal effort or expenditure but deliver a much-needed dose of joy. Below, our suggestions for a few ways to brighten these last days of winter hibernation:

1. Read more books.

Our new year’s resolution is to switch off more in the evenings in favour of actually working through our stack of books (we’ve even started a book exchange in the office to share all the books we’ve read).

2. Light a beautifully-scented candle when you get home every evening.

We know we’re biased, but we adore our new Cambridge Life candle, which smells of all the things we love about Cambridge - earl grey tea and old books and fresh air and gardens in the spring.

3. Buy some beautiful flowers

for yourself (or someone whose day needs brightening) from the market. Pretty ranunculi, daffodils and white narcissi are all in season and will bring instant cheer for just a few pounds.

for the snuggliest cashmere versions that you will love for years to come (and which only get softer with age). We promise our new Cambridge Life cashmere scarveswill be the biggest and softest versions you will own (bonus points for doubling as a personal security blanket on planes / trains).

Do something lovely or charitable for someone else just because. Send a letter to someone who made you smile, buy a coffee for your co-worker who’s having a long week, or let someone go in front of you in a queue.

7. Visit a gallery.

Here in the UK, we are blessed to have so many of the world’s best galleries and museums right on our doorstep, and mostly free to visit. Why not gather a friend and pay a visit to an exhibition or a museum you haven’t explored before.

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/behind-the-scenes-of-lfw-men-s-with-nick-byam2018-01-08T16:06:00+01:002018-01-08T16:06:54+01:00Behind the scenes of LFW Men’s with Nick ByamEmily Edward
﻿We asked our friend Nick Byam, Attitude Magazine’s Junior Fashion Editor, to take us behind the scenes at London Fashion Week: Men’s this week. Read on for all his best tips and his highlights from the season.

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﻿We asked our friend Nick Byam, Attitude Magazine’s Junior Fashion Editor, to take us behind the scenes at London Fashion Week: Men’s this week. Read on for all his best tips and his highlights from the season.

I’m pretty luck that at Attitude we have a car to drive us to all the shows, but I still always wear a good pair of trainers to keep me going all day (and most probably most of the night too…!). In my bag, I always carry aftershave, moisturiser, and mints.

Which bag have you chosen and why?

The Canvas Steamer Backpack in Black. I love backpacks and the soft canvas makes it easier for me to dress it up or down (depending on the day), and the black goes with everything.

What does a typical day at LFW look like for you?

It’s always back-to-back shows and presentations, meetings with designers, and a few pit stops at Pret along the way to keep me going.

Which shows are you most looking forward to this season?

I’m most looking forward to Astrid Anderson, which is always a favourite of mine. And Vivienne Westwood is showing a digital presentation which will be interesting to see.

Any standout Fashion Week memories from over the years?

Burberry is always a highlight and is probably still one of the most memorable shows ever; it’s always such a massive production with the most star-studded front row!

Where do you go to let your hair down afterwards?

The best place to unwind after LFW is always at whichever parties are happening that season. Fashion week is known for having the best parties in town, and they never disappoint! If there’s a break between shows or before the after-parties, me and the gang from Shortlist always head to one of the pubs in Covent Garden or to Five Guys for a carb-fest to sort us out for a night of dancing.

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/new-year-s-resolutions2018-01-03T17:13:00+01:002018-01-03T17:21:51+01:00New Year’s ResolutionsEmily Edward
We don’t adhere to that old cliché ‘new year, new you’ (which implies that we were somehow inferior before), but there is something to be said for the clean slate the dawn of a new year seems to offer. So in the spirit of making positive, achievable improvements we can implement throughout the year (rather than dispiriting and drastic changes that are soon forgotten come February), we asked some of our friends what they’re striving for in 2018.

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We don’t adhere to that old cliché ‘new year, new you’ (which implies that we were somehow inferior before), but there is something to be said for the clean slate the dawn of a new year seems to offer. So in the spirit of making positive, achievable improvements we can implement throughout the year (rather than dispiriting and drastic changes that are soon forgotten come February), we asked some of our friends what they’re striving for in 2018.

“I always seem to be over-stretched and sometimes struggle to find balance, but then really beat myself up when I can’t do everything perfectly and all at once. So I’m resolving to stop being stop feeling guilty about everything, to stop worrying so much about what people think of me or things which I can’t control, and to carve out more time downtime for small pleasures and the things (and people) I love – weekends away, lunch dates with friends, buying flowers, and ending each day with a book (rather than my phone).”

“This is the first year I am feeling truly positive and excited for a new year. My biggest resolution is to be kind to myself, not to beat myself up if things don’t get done or you don’t achieve ‘perfect’. As long as I tried my best, then I'm happy with that.”

Leanne Bayley (Content Editor, Glamour Magazine)

“I recently read ‘Get Your Sh*t Together’ by Sarah Knight and I loved it. My goal for 2018 is to put her words in to action and use my precious time getting my life in order. I’ve recently set up a blog called Daily Bayley so I want to make sure I keep that, um, daily.”

“To spend more time with friends and family. With a full time job and a blog, work/life balance can be non-existent. Plus, living away from home means I don’t see my family as much as I would like. Next year I’ll be making a conscious effort to pick up the phone, arrange meet ups, and book flights home.”

Penny Goldstone (Digital Fashion Editor, Marie Claire)

“To not put as much pressure on myself to please everyone, be it at work or at home.”

“To spend more time with friends and allow myself to switch off from work on the weekend.”

Emma Richman (Senior Press Officer, CSC)

“To stop being a compulsive apologiser!”

Nick Byam (Junior Fashion Editor, Attitude Magazine)

“At risk of sounding boring, it’s to try to eat better now that I'm getting old!”

Pom Ogilvy (Junior Fashion Coordinator, Vogue Magazine)

“To cook more and run more.”

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/the-csc-christmas-wishlist2017-12-19T15:23:00+01:002017-12-19T15:55:03+01:00Our 2017 Christmas WishlistEmily Edward
The halls are decked, the Christmas jumpers are in heavy rotation, and there are presents appearing under the tree. The countdown is on and we are officially in a festive mood around here.

While celebrating with loved ones is the most important part of the season, we’re not going to lie: the presents are fun too. Because we’re just a little bit nosey, we asked some of our friends what they want to find under their tree this year.

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The halls are decked, the Christmas jumpers are in heavy rotation, and there are presents appearing under the tree. The countdown is on and we are officially in a festive mood around here.

While celebrating with loved ones is the most important part of the season, we’re not going to lie: the presents are fun too. Because we’re just a little bit nosey, we asked some of our friends what they want to find under their tree this year:

“The Poppy Bag is just my favourite, so I’d love find another one under the tree (I have my eye on the Peach Pink which I think will be the next addition to my collection).

I also wouldn't mind Father Christmas sending me away to a spa for a day; a whole day spent relaxing sounds like heaven to this new mum.”

Nicola Davy (CSC’s Head of Brand Communications)

“The Large Saddle Bag in Black with Rivets is top of my list. It’s the perfect size to fit my book, glasses case, phone, keys, a piece of fruit and some make up - and the studs are just my style. Plus a kitten, pretty please. That goes on my list every year but I haven’t received one yet.”

Briony Whitehouse (blogger at agirlastyle.com and Blogger in Residence at CSC)

The Cloud Bag is my favourite, so I’m hoping to add this season’s metallic Gold Lizard version to my collection. Otherwise, I’m hoping for some art for my walls (I’m a huge fan of British artist Luke Edward Hall and would love to own one of his originals) and a stack of new books to brighten the new year.

Penny Goldstone (Digital Fashion Editor, Marie Claire)

“A personalised go with-everything bag like the North South Tote or the Cloud Bag in the colour of the season: Oxblood. And as I’ve just bought my first house, something nice for the home. I’m a sucker for a scented candle or a nice pillow!”

“I'm always looking for ways to refresh my home, so I'm on the lookout for a couple of unique prints for my walls. And a navy Cable Tidy to keep all my chargers in one place (I’m on an ongoing mission to keep things organised).”

Emma Richman (CSC’s Senior Press Officer)

“I love anything shiny and metallic, so I’m obsessed with the Small Cloud Bag in Gold Lizard. And I’m still hoping and praying that there will be a sausage dog waiting for me on Christmas Day (even though I’ve been told hundreds of times that it’s not going to happen). I have been really good this year, so I will keep my fingers crossed that Santa has noticed that! “

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/making-christmas-traditions-with-charlotte-jacklin-of-betty-magazine2017-12-11T14:01:00+01:002017-12-12T14:28:57+01:00Making Christmas Traditions With Charlotte Jacklin Of Betty MagazineBAO Admin
Mince pies, untangling fairy lights, old Christmas tunes playing all December long, spending time with loved ones and letting real life melt away for a few days – Christmas is steeped in memories and traditions unique to each culture and family.

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Mince pies, untangling fairy lights, old Christmas tunes playing all December long, spending time with loved ones and letting real life melt away for a few days – Christmas is steeped in memories and traditions unique to each culture and family.

We love to see how Christmas is interpreted by each family in their own festive ways. So we recently headed south to Margate for a very festive day indeed with our long-time friend, Charlotte Jacklin of Betty Magazine, her partner Jack, and her new baby June to see how they’re celebrating their first Christmas as a family.

What is your favourite Christmas memory?

When I was at primary school, the teachers and my Nanna (who was the caretaker at my school) used to go the cinema every Christmas as a treat. The school used to hire a coach to take us there and back - it was so exciting and at the time such a big deal! Miracle on 34th Street, and Home Alone 2 were two films that I remember going to see, there used to be intervals in films then too, so I always looked forward to buying an ice cream half way through.

What are your favourite Christmas films?

Christmas films are my FAVOURITE. Romantic comedies are my guilty pleasure soLove Actually, The Holidayand alwaysIt’s a Wonderful Life. Harry Potteris always essential viewing this time of year too, I am not even entirely sure why, as the Christmas scenes in them are so short, but they still feel appropriately festive.

How will you be spending Christmas this year?

I will be spending it at my parent’s house with Jack and June. We have a small Christmas, which is just how I like it.

Christmas Eve is for relaxing, watching Christmas films and last minute wrapping of presents. On Christmas morning I like to go for walk in the morning, nothing too long but it’s always so lovely saying hello to people you see on your way – everyone’s in such a happy mood.

Christmas dinner probably looks different for every family, however in ours there is always cauliflower cheese on the table, mash AND roast potatoes and an allocated amount of pigs in blankets (to avoid any sausage-related arguments). Whilst we all love to get dressed up for lunch, there is a cut-off point where someone gives the nod – usually around 4pm - and the change into pyjamas is acceptable for all. After an afternoon nap, we always have leftover turkey sandwiches in the evening, which has to be my favourite thing about the whole day. Nothing ever tastes so good!

What are your favourite Christmas traditions to get you in the mood?

First things first we need to start with the tree, and it's always a real one. A Norwegian Spruce fills our flat with most beautiful smell that will forever remind me of Christmas. And as we did when I was younger, the decorations on the tree will tell a little story of times spent together as a family through the years. Once the tree is sorted, it’s about playing Christmas music from the 1st of December (and not a day before) and my first mince pie (all of which were indulged in for this shoot). In December I like to try and make the everyday special; light a few more candles at home, add fairy lights wherever I can for some twinkle and drink a few too many hot chocolates.

What are the new traditions you're making with June?

This year will be June's first ever Christmas, and my first Christmas as a mum. And as I keep remembering, I'm the parent now! It's now time for my boyfriend and me to start festive traditions that my daughter will hopefully cherish for many years to come. Her face the first time she saw the Christmas tree and the pile of decorations (on the morning of this shoot) was just magical and a moment I'll never forget. We’ve already started collecting decorations for the tree from places we’ve been together as a family. I love that the tree can be a memory bank for times spent together as she grows up. As she gets older I can’t wait to see what traditions we make together; it such a magical time of year and feels even more special to us now.

How do you dress for the festive season?

This year I’ll be wearing a Burgundy velvet dress, and using my Poppy bag in Silver, I always try to add a touch of silver and gold to my wardrobe whenever I can. The Poppyis my favourite bag. It is myMary Poppinsbag; it lets me fit all of June’s things and all the ‘mum things’ I need to have to hand – not that you’d know it. Then I just detach the handle to make it a bit more party-ready and I’m good to go!

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/pretendmas-on-christmas-urban-family-traditions2017-12-01T13:44:00+01:002017-12-12T14:28:42+01:00Pretendmas: On Christmas + Urban 'Family' TraditionsBAO Admin
I don’t know why we started doing it. I think I had a sudden hankering for Christmas decadence, the year I moved to London after university. December had been awash with early twenty-something festive cheer – Christmas jumper parties at flats in Kennington shared by six housemates; evenings spent wearing something scratchy and sequinned and acrylic bought at a charity shop for 99p in a rush that afternoon.

I don’t know why we started doing it. I think I had a sudden hankering for Christmas decadence, the year I moved to London after university. December had been awash with early twenty-something festive cheer – Christmas jumper parties at flats in Kennington shared by six housemates; evenings spent wearing something scratchy and sequinned and acrylic bought at a charity shop for 99p in a rush that afternoon. “Mulled wine” made from a box of unidentified chalky red liquid and an out-of-date packet of cinnamon.

“Let’s go to The Savoy tonight,” I texted my friend Sabrina. “There’s a piano there. There will be a man in a dickie-bow tinkling White Christmas on the ivories.” We got dressed up, we checked our Natwest online banking to check there was enough money for a cocktail and then we sat in The American Bar, sipping and savouring one so slowly, we managed to hold our table for two of the pianist’s sets.

And so, the first of many Christmas traditions was set. Over the years, there would also be Pretendmas – a big pretend Christmas day celebration in early December, where only (Aldi) champagne would be drunk, charades would be played and far too many roast potatoes would be consumed. A frosty walk on Hampstead Heath before we all go home to our respective families for Christmas. Last year we went tree and garland shopping on Columbia Road one Sunday, ending with a bowl of pasta and a bottle of red wine at Campania and Jones – we enjoyed it so much, we declared it another tradition.

Although seemingly repeated small moments in a twenty-something social calendar, these rituals mean something much more to me – they mean we’re building a mythology together, something that we’ll nurture, something with room for partners and children and new friends to move into as life grows and changes. Something that will keep us feeling safe and loved and known when our childhoods one day feel three galaxies away. The commitment to these traditions show there’s intention to have lots and lots more Decembers together, me and my urban family.

We’ve already got a date in for The Savoy this year – the evening of the 21st. We’re all 29 and 30 now, so we could probably stretch to two cocktails. But we’ll probably just stick with one and make it last two hours – it is, after all, tradition.

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/introducing-cambridge-life2017-11-27T13:14:00+01:002017-12-12T14:28:10+01:00Introducing Cambridge LifeBAO Admin
I started The Cambridge Satchel Company almost 10 years ago. What started on my kitchen table as something to help me send the children to school has grown to include such an incredible following and enable me the opportunity to do things I never could have imagined.

I started The Cambridge Satchel Company almost 10 years ago. What started on my kitchen table as something to help me send the children to school has grown to include such an incredible following and enable me the opportunity to do things I never could have imagined.

We are incredibly lucky to have something that every young brand hopes for: customer loyalty. Our customers – who come from all over the world – are the most wonderful fan base we could ask for. But more than just buying our bags; they constantly act as our sounding board; telling us what they love, why they love something and how they use it in their daily lives, and what else they wish we made. They love the Britishness of our brand, the fact that all our bags are made here in the UK, and that even though we’ve grown since our humble beginnings, that we haven’t changed or strayed from our principles.

As we near our 10th anniversary next year, I’ve been thinking about how we can continue to grow as a company and offer our customers something completely new. So I am thrilled to be launching the next phase for our brand: Cambridge Life.

Cambridge really is the most incredible place; it’s my home and my constant source of inspiration. Looking around – the grand old buildings, the bikes whizzing past, the bustling market, the wonderful coffee shops, the passion that people put in to their work here and the talent we’re surrounded by – it’s very hard not to be inspired by this place. It doesn’t matter that I’ve been here for so long; I still feel lucky to live here. With that backdrop, it’s easy to create something that has been styled and designed in a timeless way because you can’t turn your back on that much history and tradition.

Cambridge Life is about taking a piece of Cambridge into your homes and your daily life; small pleasures that make life that bit more joyful. Life can be so stressful but we believe there is a different way of doing things; balancing a hectic schedule whilst also ensuring you’re nurtured, happy, and taking time for the things that matter.

We’re initially launching Cambridge Life with a small but beautifully formed offering: cashmere scarves to make autumn bike rides or long train journeys a little more cosy, scented diffusers to ensure your house never smells of it’s furry inhabitants (beloved though they are), and scented candles to signify a moment of pause and precious ‘me time’ when you light it each evening.

It’s no secret that running The Cambridge Satchel Company, maintaining its growth and taking all the opportunities that come our way has been challenging. I confess that there was a period, when the business was growing and the team expanded, that I felt quite disconnected from it. During that time, one of the most important things for me was to make sure everything at home felt good and happy – that when all around me felt frantic, my home was a sanctuary. It might sound rather superficial, but sometimes when it feels like you can’t cope with another thing or there aren’t enough hours in the day, it helps to come home and put on the kettle and light a beautiful candle that makes you feel, even just for one minute, that you’re on top of it all. There are some things that you can’t sort out with a good smell, but a good smell never hurts!

For me, that smell needed to reflect all the things I love about my city; green notes to reflect the College gardens and my own love of gardening, ozonic notes to reflect the fresh air and the tranquility of the river going through Cambridge and the depth of the city; vanillin reminiscent of the smell of old library books, and – because I am English after all – bergamot to evoke the joy of a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea.

The cashmere scarves were inspired by the oversized scarves that the Cambridge Boat Club ‘boaties’ wear. It’s wider than any you’ll find – meaning it can double as a security blanket on your travels – and long enough to loop around a few times and still fall beautifully. It needed to be the softest scarf I had ever touched, and unisex too.

As we move forward, we’ll be launching more products that we hope will bring you a little Cambridge happiness; whether you’re at home, in your garden, or out and about. But for now, I hope you’ll enjoy a quiet moment of joy and the comfort these new pieces will bring you.

We hope you love them as much as we do!

- Julie xx

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/1920s-glamour-the-inspiration-behind-our-2017-christmas-collection2017-11-13T15:58:00+01:002017-11-27T15:17:30+01:001920s glamour – the Inspiration Behind Our 2017 Christmas CollectionShopify API
Those with a keen eye for design may have noticed an Art Deco theme running through our collections this year; from the glamour of the golden era of travel to the French Riviera in the 1920s..

“There’s nothing quite like the decadence of a Cambridge ball – glitz, glamour, and dancing under the stars”.

Those with a keen eye for design may have noticed an Art Deco theme running through our collections this year; from the glamour of the golden era of travel to the French Riviera in the 1920s.

Our Christmas collection is the grand finale of the year and continues this Art Deco theme. We are celebrating the party season with a collection which draws inspiration from the roaring ‘20s and the decadence of Cambridge college balls.

When designing the collection, we imagined that very Cambridge tradition of celebrating the end of term by donning party dresses and jewels, sipping champagne in the glittering college dining halls, and dancing beneath the moonlight until dawn with the bright young things of Cambridge.

The jazz-age references can be seen in the new-season metallic finishes (Silver, Gold, and holographic Silver Borderline) and adornments (gold rivet studs and tassels).

The collection also introduces three new prints perfect for the festive season: the foiled Zig Zag chevron, golden Star Haze, and monochrome Deco fan (a nod to the iconic fan-vaulted ceiling of one of our Cambridge’s King’s College Chapel).

But as much as we love a good party, the Art Deco mood translates just as beautifully to our favourite daywear colours for the new season. The soft, muted hues of Peach Pink, Clay, and French Grey are the perfect accompaniment for this winter’s colour palette, but will also see you through to spring (and beyond).

We hope you love the new season collection as much as we do! Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a party (or three) to get to…

SHOP THE COLLECTION HERE

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/quality-products-that-everyone-can-afford2017-11-03T16:30:00+01:002017-11-27T15:17:31+01:00Quality Products That Everyone Can AffordShopify API
When I started The Cambridge Satchel Company back in 2008 I had a vision to bring back the classic British satchel which had all but been forgotten...

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When I started The Cambridge Satchel Company back in 2008 I had a vision to bring back the classic British satchel which had all but been forgotten. Now you see satchels everywhere, but back then I couldn’t find one anywhere for my children to use at school. Fast forward nine years and we are still making those very same satchels, still here in the UK along with a wider collection of styles, colours and finishes that I could never have imagined back then.

Throughout the journey, one thing has always remained important to me – to make quality products, here in the UK, that hard working people could all afford. I started the business with just £600 so it wouldn’t make sense for us to charge anywhere near that for a bag. It would have been easy to move all our manufacturing abroad to save costs to keep our prices down for you, but I truly believe that traditional British bags deserve to be made in Britain.

However, some of our costs have crept up along the way. I’ve spoken about the challenges we’ve faced as a business over the last few years and I am now working hard to simplify our operations and cut out some of the layers. As part of this, I’ve been reviewing our prices. Some of our styles are priced higher than I would like and I don’t want anyone to feel that they can’t aspire to own one of our bags. Our average price remained at £120 for a long time – a good price for an authentic, quality product that is made with care and attention so that it will last a lifetime. I’m working to ensure that remains our average price.

I’ve looked particularly at our canvas styles which launched last year. It took us a while to get the canvas right and I was determined we would source the material and manufacture in the UK but that meant working with some of our partners and manufacturing outside of our own factory. We got there in the end but the prices were quite high. We’ve been fortunate that our customers have been so supportive and those bags sold incredibly well. So well that I’d like us to make more. Our factory team at our manufacturing base in Leicestershire has been working hard so we can now make them there and as we know you like them we can make more units, all of which helps to bring the cost down.

Shop the Canvas Steamer Backpack>

One thing we haven’t been able to make at our factory due to cost constraints is our small leather accessories. We found a fantastic producer and are proud to be working with them. I have taken the decision to price these in line with our belief that great craftsmanship should be affordable so we are reducing our margin, and therefore our prices as we head into Christmas.

I’ll continue to look at our range to ensure it provides quality for a good price. Thank you for your ongoing support. It really means the world to me.

Keep your eyes peeled for some beautiful styles launching for Christmas over the next couple of weeks – the perfect party bags and some fantastic stocking fillers. Plus the launch of our brand new lifestyle range. I’m passionate about the direction we’re heading and think you’ll agree the new products are rather special. We’re also working on some exciting things for our 10 year anniversary next year. Watch this space for ways to get involved!

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/cscspotted-jordan-bunker2017-10-27T01:00:00+02:002017-11-27T15:17:32+01:00#CSCspotted: Jordan BunkerShopify API
If you’re a style-conscious gent, then chances are you’ll be familiar with the always impeccably turned-out Jordan Bunker...

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If you’re a style-conscious gent, then chances are you’ll be familiar with the always impeccably turned-out Jordan Bunker. He’s one of the most stylish guys we know, and a long-time friend of The Cambridge Satchel Company. So we recently challenged him to style one of our men’s styles for the new season, and show us around London for the day.

Here, we ask Jordan about his best style tips, how he’d spend a day off, and what he carries in his Folio backpack.

What essentials do you always carry with you in your bag?

I always make sure I have my camera with me, especially when I’m in London; I’d be so frustrated to miss a photo opportunity! Other than that, I always keep a notebook, hat, a small bottle of aftershave and then arguably the most important… a portable phone charger!

How do you adapt your style for the colder months?

I’m one of those guys who enjoys all the things that come with the colder weather. Although it’s a treat to just leave the house in just a t-shirt, I feel much more comfortable and better-prepared when I’m able to layer my outfits, playing around with lengths and textures. One thing that doesn’t change though is my colour palette. It’s navy and grey for all seasons!

What are your best tips for stylish gents for Autumn/Winter?

Any wardrobe hacks for looking pulled-together with minimal effort? I’ll often wear a mock neck long sleeve as the base to my outfit for a bit of extra warmth. I think it looks stylish, and it definitely keeps the cold out.

What are your favourite CSC styles for Autumn/Winter?

Any tips for fellow guys to look for when choosing a new bag? Well, of course I love the Folio backpack that I’m wearing in my blog post. Along with this, I love the Portrait Backpack, and the laptop cases in saffiano leather are classic.

If you are looking for a new bag right now, think about the style that’s going to best suit your lifestyle and everything you need to carry with you. You’ll get much more use out of your new purchase if you think about what you do day-to-day and let that dictate your style.

What are your favourite ways to spend a weekend off-duty in London?

Good question! I think this would involve a combination of trusted favourites and something new. I’d start my day with a trip to TAP coffee in Soho. Then I would try and meet up with friends that I don’t get to see much as I would like as I don’t live in London. To finish up, I’d head over to a new gallery or if it was a Sunday, make my first trip to Columbia Road flower market!

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/behind-the-scenes-at-csc-introducing-our-blogger-in-residence2017-10-16T17:49:00+02:002017-12-12T14:27:00+01:00Behind the Scenes at CSC: Introducing our ‘Blogger in Residence’BAO Admin
Here at The Cambridge Satchel Company, we like to do things a little differently. From the way we first started (on our Founder, Julie Deane’s, kitchen table all those years ago), to how we operate day-to-day, we prefer to favour the personal over the corporate.

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Here at The Cambridge Satchel Company, we like to do things a little differently. From the way we first started (on our Founder, Julie Deane’s, kitchen table all those years ago), to how we operate day-to-day, we prefer to favour the personal over the corporate. That’s why we never use big branding agencies (everything we do is still done in-house), outsource the manufacturing of our traditionally British bags overseas (all our bags are still handmade on British soil, either at our factory in Leicestershire or by other British manufacturers we’ve worked with since the beginning), or use models in our campaigns (we always use our friends, family, and colleagues – so everyone you see in our photos is someone we know), to name just a few examples.

Shop the Poppy in Racing Green>

We were one of the first brands to embrace bloggers and social media. Right from the beginning, Julie started to drive awareness and interest in the brand by reaching out to bloggers; back in 2008, this wasn’t an approach adopted by many brands, but we saw the early merits of taking this approach (and it worked for us). Coupled with the fact that we chose to launch online rather than with ‘bricks and mortar’ stores (those came later!), the importance of digital, and the need for that to be at the core of all our brand communications, has always been one of our driving strategies.

As that need only increases, we’ve taken the step of hiring our own in-house influencer to work with us on our digital and social media communications. Why hire a faceless agency to advise on digital strategy when you can go straight to the source and work with someone who already perfectly understands and embodies the brand? So we’re thrilled to welcome Briony Whitehouse (you might know her as @agirlastyle) as our new ‘Blogger in Residence’.

Shop the Tassel Bag in Crimson>

Briony was one of the earliest lifestyle bloggers in the UK; establishing her award-winning blog ‘A Girl, A Style’ back in 2009. Alongside her blog, she’s spent the past 15 years working as a political advisor and communications strategist, so we feel lucky to have someone with such a wealth of experience – both on and offline. More importantly, we’ve been friends from the beginning; Julie and Briony – a fellow Cambridge girl – actually first met when Briony was working in Parliament and Julie was just starting out, and the two hit it off right away – bonding over their shared love of books, dogs, and Cambridge. and Briony has been a friend ever since.

You might already recognise Briony as a long-time friend of the brand and will have already seen her influence across our social media channels, but we’re excited to be working together on many innovative, creative and fun things together going forward – particularly as we head into our 10th anniversary next year!

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/our-autumn-bucket-list2017-10-05T18:16:00+02:002017-12-12T14:27:27+01:00Our Autumn Bucket ListBAO Admin
We don’t like to play favourites, but autumn might just be our favourite season of them all. From the leaves turning golden beneath October’s gaze and the promise of the festive season to come, to the sense of new beginnings and the lure of cosy evenings indoors – there’s a certain magic in the air when fall rolls around in Cambridge.

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We don’t like to play favourites, but autumn might just be our favourite season of them all. From the leaves turning golden beneath October’s gaze and the promise of the festive season to come, to the sense of new beginnings and the lure of cosy evenings indoors – there’s a certain magic in the air when fall rolls around in Cambridge.

Here are some of our top tips for celebrating the season in Cambridge :

1. Gather your favourite people and go punting on the River Cam before the weather gets too chilly. We love cruising past the colleges, resplendent in all the colours of autumn (preferably beneath the comfort of a tartan blanket).

2. Take a long walk or bike ride to the countryside, and be rewarded with fall foliage and a cup of tea at the other end. We’ll be cycling to Grantchester for afternoon tea beneath the trees at The Orchard.

Shop the Small Traveller Bag with Side Pockets in Racing Green here>

3. Speaking of which, take your bicycles for their bi-annual maintenance check-up. In Cambridge, we favour Tony (and his dog, Pedlar) at The Bike Station by the train station, or S&G Cycles on Laundress Lane for the best service with a smile

4. Hunt for the best hot chocolate in town (or master your own). We love heading to Chocolat Chocolat or Fitzbillies for a steaming mug of chocolate on a chilly Sunday.

5. Head to the farmers’ market to pick up some fresh seasonal produce. We’ll be buying bags full of figs, chestnuts, and pumpkins (to turn into pie) in the Market Square in Cambridge.

6. Treat yourself to a new cashmere scarf and a bag in a cheery colour. Perfect for brightening up cold morning journeys across town.

Shop the New Collection here>

7. Longer evenings call for cosy nights at home with a stack of books and a pot of tea. Visit your favourite local bookstore for a few new-season reads.

8. Autumn’s back-to-school feeling always lends an air of clean slates and new beginnings, so it’s the perfect time to set some goals and ambitions for the rest of 2017. The key to a successful resolution: make them realistic and measurable.

Take for example our classic satchel bags: we know you need a bag that’s sturdy enough to hold your laptop, notebooks, and whatever else you need to stuff inside, but which is still stylish enough for post-lecture socialising.

Take for example our classic satchel bags: we know you need a bag that’s sturdy enough to hold your laptop, notebooks, and whatever else you need to stuff inside, but which is still stylish enough for post-lecture socialising. Our bags do just that (and more).

We love that back-to-school feeling, and know how special those first days of university life are.

For our Founder, Julie Deane, her first memories of Cambridge University (where she studied), stem from her admissions interview even before she arrived as a student.

“When I went for my interview, I was struck by the level of personalisation that went along with being a student at Cambridge. For example, above every student’s room there is a sign that has been hand-painted with their name. When I learnt I was accepted, that was the very first thing to spring to my mind; my name was going to be painted on a sign that would be hanging above a door waiting for me to arrive.

“When I eventually arrived in Cambridge (from South Wales where I grew up), I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the beauty of the buildings at Cambridge; the grand architecture of the buildings and the decoration of the rooms was something I had never come across before and which has stayed with me ever since.”

The Competition:

We love that back-to-school feeling and those special university memories, so we want to know what makes your university or college experience special to you. Tell us a story via social media that makes us laugh, smile, feel inspired, or wish we were there. We’ll reward one winner and two runners-up with an amazing prize to help you make the best first impression on campus.

To coincide with the competition, we are also offering all students 20% off online and in-store from the 18th September to the 8th October. Don’t forget that once the competition is over, students can still take advantage of a 10% discount year-round.

To Enter:

Post a picture and caption to Instagram, Twitter or Facebook which encapsulates your university experience. Whether that’s a gorgeous shot of your favourite building or place on campus, strange or funny traditions unique to your college or university, how you’re making your dorm room your own, or a story about your experiences in your first week as a student, we want to know what university life means to you.

The winners will be those who make us laugh, smile, feel inspired, or wish we were there.

Be sure to follow and tag us @CamSatchelCo and use the hashtag #CSCcampus so that we can spot your entry.

The competition is open from the 18th September until midnight (GMT) on the 8th October. Winners will be chosen by our Founder and CEO, Julie Deane, and will be notified within a month of competition ending.

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/behind-the-scenes-at-london-fashion-week-with-chloe-bloch-style-editor-at-glamour-magazine2017-09-19T10:48:00+02:002017-11-27T15:17:37+01:00Behind The Scenes At London Fashion Week With Chloe Bloch, Style Editor At Glamour MagazineShopify APIWe asked our friend Chloe, Glamour Magazine’s Style Editor, to take us behind the scenes at London Fashion Week this week. Read on for all her best tips and her highlights from the season.

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We asked our friend Chloe, Glamour Magazine’s Style Editor, to take us behind the scenes at London Fashion Week this week. Read on for all her best tips and her highlights from the season.

What is your LFW ‘survival kit’?

Let's not be under any illusions when it comes to the London weather: the trick is staying stylish whilst enduring the cold and rain. So for me a must is a good coat – a classic trench is one of those pieces you will wear forever and is definitely worth the investment. Next on the list is a go-with-everything bag; I especially love the clean lines and structured shape of this North South Tote in black – perfect for carrying round all my fashion week essentials. I'll always pack a notebook for jotting down the key trends I see on the runway; it really comes in handy when we are planning the features for the season ahead. When it comes to make up I'm pretty low key, but I've recently fallen in love with Charlotte Tilbury’s ‘Pillow Talk’ lipstick; it's the perfect pick-me-up during the long days at the shows.

What does a typical day at LFW look like for you?

As I am guilty of abusing the snooze button on my alarm (I'm not a morning person), I try to start by planning my outfit the night before to eliminate the drama of what to wear. I promise this happens to fashion editors, too! The first show of the day usually kicks off around 9am; there I'll meet the rest of my team and together we will cover the shows and presentations that day. The Fashion Week schedule can be demanding, but it’s always inspiring to see some of the new designers emerging on the scene along with the more established ones. A well-stocked car full of sweet treats provides essential fuel for long days (veggie Percy Pigs are our team favourite). The day usually ends with a party or two. It’s a really sociable industry and the Fashion Week parties are great opportunity to catch up with PRs and friends from other magazines.

What were your LFW highlights this season?

I absolutely loved the clean, minimalist aesthetic at Joseph (which is always a highlight for me). Rejina Pyo is also a young London based designer whose collections just keep getting better each season. Her Spring/Summer ‘18 show did not disappoint; I've mentally added the cream velvet dress to my spring wish list!

Any standout Fashion Week memories from over the years?

My standout fashion week memory has to be the very first season I attended LFW. It makes you feel amazingly privileged to be part of this industry, surrounded by so many creative people. I try to bring that feeling with me to every fashion week; it's important not to become jaded.

Any LFW tips for others? (e.g. where to rest between shows? Where to let your hair down afterwards?)

Sensible shoes are priority for me. I realise this sounds incredibly un-fashiony, but there is nothing worse than hobbling around from show-to-show in vertiginous heels. Instead, I'm a big fan of a kitten heel; they give you just the right amount of height, and are comfortable and chic. Win-win!

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/autumn-giveaway-with-pure-collection2017-09-11T11:11:00+02:002017-11-27T15:17:38+01:00Autumn Giveaway With Pure CollectionShopify APIThis season, we’re partnering with our friends at Pure Collection – purveyors of the finest cashmere at sensible prices - on a giveaway to mark the launch of their new Autumn collection.

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This season, we’re partnering with our friends at Pure Collection – purveyors of the finest cashmere at sensible prices - on a giveaway to mark the launch of their new Autumn collection.

Whether bundling up for weekend walks in the countryside, running errands around town, or commuting to the office, Pure’s cashmere collection is perfect for the modern woman – and the ideal accompaniment to our new-season bags.

We’re thrilled to be giving away one of their luxurious Gassato Cashmere Ponchos in Iced Grey (pictured above).

To enter and for your chance to win, be sure to follow both The Cambridge Satchel Company and Pure Collection on Facebook, and comment on our competition post on Facebook telling us which of our bag styles you would style the poncho with.

As an added bonus, we’re also offering 20% site-wide discount at Pure Collection with code ‘CAMBRIDGE’.

Good luck!

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/downing-street-and-the-inspiration-behind-our-new-season-collection2017-09-01T11:19:00+02:002017-11-27T15:17:39+01:00Downing Street And The Inspiration Behind Our New-Season CollectionShopify APIHere in England, we may be clinging to the last glorious days of summer, but a new season is merely around the corner.

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Here in England, we may be clinging to the last glorious days of summer, but a new season is merely around the corner. Just this week we’ve spotted the first of the fallen autumn leaves, pulled out a sweater for the first time since spring, and started longing for cosy evenings indoors with a stack of books and a pot of tea.

Just as a new season evokes new traditions and moods, so too does it inspire us to create new collections in a rainbow of colours which reflect the changes around us. As ever, nature is the primary inspiration for our seasonal colours – from the changes in our Founder Julie Deane’s garden to the evolving scenery around her as she travels around Cambridge and the world.

Our latest collection for autumn is no different.

One day last autumn, Julie was visiting No. 10 Downing Street for a meeting. It is worth noting here what a special place Downing Street – the Prime Minister’s Westminster office and residence – is for both Julie and The Cambridge Satchel Company’s story. She was first invited to visit with her mother, Freda, for a reception honouring the winners of the Red Magazine Red Hot Women Awards in 2012 (where she was the recipient of the Start-Up award), and has since visited many times following her appointment by then UK Prime Minister David Cameron to conduct a review of self employment in the UK, and to support the GREAT Britain campaign with which she is involved.

“No matter how many times you walk down that street, it’s always a unique and incredible feeling,” says Julie of Downing Street. But on that particular day, she was so struck by the sight of the golden light streaming through the autumn leaves that she paused to snap a photo of the scene on her phone.

Julie's photograph. For Julie, that photo was symbolic of so many feelings of significance – the importance of Julie’s relationship to Downing Street, the changing of the seasons, and all the feelings autumn evokes – that it served as the inspiration for our new season colours.

The new season collection – in rich hues of Mustard, Racing Green, Brandy, Crimson, and Putty – reflect the changing season. The collection references that scene in Downing Street, as well as drawing inspiration from all the scholarly traditions and colours of autumn in Cambridge and New England – the falling of the golden leaves in the college quads, the sight of green bikes racing down the cobbled streets to get to lecture, the leather-bound books in the library, ivy-covered walls that turn crimson come-October, and start of term feasts.

We hope you’re as inspired by the new season and our latest collection as we are.

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/introducing-our-newest-style-the-conductors-bag2017-08-10T11:50:00+02:002017-11-27T15:17:40+01:00Introducing Our Newest Style: The Conductor's BagShopify API
Here at The Cambridge Satchel Company, many of our bags are often inspired by nostalgic designs from the past...

Here at The Cambridge Satchel Company, many of our bags are often inspired by nostalgic designs from the past. From the original classic satchel (inspired by the leather school bag our Founder and CEO Julie carried when she was young) to the Poppy bag (inspired by an old doctor’s bag); we like to take beloved classic styles and give them our own spin to make them feel up-to-date again.

Our brand new Conductor’s bag – which takes its inspiration from a vintage bus conductor’s bag – is no exception.

Remembering the sturdy leather bags the conductors would wear on the bus and train journeys she would take with her family when she was young Julie wanted to reinterpret that same design sensibility for the modern day. Designed to hold much more than just bus tickets and loose change, our Conductor’s bag will fit everything the modern woman needs to accompany her on her daily journeys – whether that be a long train commute, or just a quick trip to the shops.

Julie says: “there is something so wonderful about bags that were created for a specific purpose – whether a post-worker’s, conductor’s, or doctor’s bag – bags with character and a destiny, if you will. So often these bags will have interesting compartments and features and facets to their design and personality that make perfect sense within that context, but which don’t deserve to be forgotten once they are no longer needed for the purpose they were destined for.”

To celebrate the launch of the Conductor’s bag, we rounded up some of our friends, staff and mums (our shoots are always a family affair!) to showcase the bag alongside London’s iconic red buses in all their crimson glory. We think you’ll agree that it looks equally stylish on women of all ages, no matter where their day takes them (no bus ticket required).

We hope you love it as much as we do! Shop the new Conductor’s bag here.

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/our-founder-julie-chats-about-our-new-cambridge-university-collaboration2017-07-12T12:37:00+02:002017-11-27T15:17:42+01:00Our Founder Julie Chats About Our New Cambridge University Collaboration.Shopify APIIt’s almost impossible to talk about our hometown of Cambridge without referencing the University.

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It’s almost impossible to talk about our hometown of Cambridge without referencing the University. Spend more than a few minutes in the city and you’ll already have noticed the grand, historic buildings, the students cycling past on the cobbled streets and the sense of calm that can only come where pupils are busy learning. It makes Cambridge magical; a place like no other. Our Founder, Julie, felt so at home here that she never really left after she graduated.

Julie studied Natural Sciences at Gonville & Caius College, arriving just five years after women were first admitted to the College, and graduated in 1987. She joined Deloitte and qualified as a Chartered Accountant but soon returned to her College where she was the first Fellow for Development and the Registrary – the first woman to be appointed to this role in the 650-year history of the college. Julie’s life has been so linked to Gonville & Caius College that just last month Julie was elected Honorary Fellow of the College, a rare accolade that serves to reinforce the influence of the College on Julie, and her on it.

So important is Cambridge University to The Cambridge Satchel Company that we have collaborated on a range of products for the last few years, with profits from these products going to the development of the University. This summer we are adding to the collection with a range of new small accessories and a new look range of satchels and bags.

Julie tells us a little more about what the University means to her and what you can expect from the collaboration:

“The launch of the new Cambridge University collection is a high point in the calendar as it underlines yet again my connection and commitment to it. As a student the application needs to be to a college rather than to the University directly and there the dilemma begins. I chose Gonville and Caius, one of the oldest and most traditional and I have never regretted my choice. Caius became my home as an undergraduate and I returned years later as a Fellow and Registrary – although I resigned my Fellowship when Emily was born in 1999 I was never out of touch and then the most exciting news arrived a few months ago – I had been elected an Honorary Fellow and so once again my association is official. If you come to Cambridge do visit Caius – it has produced thirteen Nobel Prize winners and counts Stephen Hawking among its current Fellows. Supporting Cambridge University through this collection ties both my worlds together and I hope you will feel like joining in the spirit of this collaboration.

This new collection is even stronger than ever. The styling is confident and the lines are clean. The bags are stylish and worthy of bearing the name and symbol of Cambridge University.”

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/when-csc-met-brompton2017-05-20T14:03:00+02:002017-11-27T15:17:43+01:00When CSC Met BromptonShopify APIWhen you think of Cambridge, you think of cycling, that’s why our logo features a hand drawn bicycle. We couldn’t dream up a more fitting collaboration than with Brompton Bicycle, the manufacturer of the iconic folding bike.

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When you think of Cambridge, you think of cycling, that’s why our logo features a hand drawn bicycle. We couldn’t dream up a more fitting collaboration than with Brompton Bicycle, the manufacturer of the iconic folding bike. To celebrate this exciting launch, we interviewed Ross Hawkins, Global Brand Manager at Brompton Bicycle and our own Scott Simpson, Head of Product at The Cambridge Satchel Company. We wanted to find out what makes the two great British brands such a perfect fit for each other and understand the process behind the production of the collection.

We’re passionate about British manufacturing here at CSC. How important is it for us to work with brands who share this vision?

Scott: We are really proud of the fact that all of our bags are hand made at our factory in the heart of England. British Craftsmanship is something that our Founder and CEO, Julie Deane, champions and we are always keen to work with brands with similar values to ours. This is why Brompton who manufacture their amazing bikes in the UK was the perfect match!

How did the idea for the CSCxBrompton collaboration come about?

Scott: Julie met Brompton’s CEO, Will Butler-Adams on an export trip to China with British PM David Cameron. Both Julie and Will share so many of the same passions for design and manufacturing and thought that a collaboration between our two brands would be perfect. Julie has always been a big fan of the Brompton bike and Will thought our bag was perfect for the Brompton!

Tell us a bit about how Brompton manufacture their products?

Ross: Every Brompton is handmade in our factory in Greenford, North West London. We start by brazing (similar process to welding) a steel tube to make the frames, and machining the all important hinges, these parts are then powder coated and assembled with all the components, there are approx. 1200 parts on a bike, on our production line.

Both CSC and Brompton first began trying to find a solution to a problem, tell us a bit about the history of the brand…

Ross: The Brompton bike was invented by Andrew Ritchie in 1975. Andrew lived in a flat in Kensington and simply wanted a more efficient way of getting around the city, and a bike that could be taken on other forms of transport and then easily stored at home or work really seemed to make sense. He couldn't find anything that fitted his needs and so designed and made one. After a lot of hard work and numerous set backs, full time production started in 1988 out of a small railway arch and from there grew to be the company it is today; privately owned, entrepreneurial and with a mission to change how people move around cities. Brompton bikes are ridden in cities around the world; from London to Barcelona to Seoul, Chengdu and beyond.

In fact, both brands share quite a number of similarities – tell us about a few of them!

Ross: Both products started out as ideas on a kitchen table, and the companies grew from a determination to make something that was practical and fun. And along with both companies proving that manufacturing in Great Britain is alive and viable, we're having some fun along the way too!

Tell us a bit about the products you’ve designed as part of the collaboration? Why did you choose those colours?

Scott: We have created a special edition CSCxBrompton bike using our signature Oxblood colour with an Ivory accent. The bike includes a beautiful tan leather saddle and handle bar grips and is proudly co-branded. Our special edition bike has a very classic and traditional look but with a sense of fun. We have created a special edition 15 inch Batchel (the Batchel was originally designed as a hybrid of the briefcase and satchel, combining an adjustable leather shoulder strap with a functional top handle) with a customised back panel with frame to fit Brompton’s bespoke front carrier frame. We are offering this style in three colours that compliment some of Brompton’s key colours: Oxblood, Lagoon Blue and Turkish Green.

What’s been the process for both brands working together?

Ross: We started out thinking about what size Cambridge Satchel bag would be right for someone just nipping about the city by bike, then from there worked out how we could make a bike that also told a story about the collaboration. The Oxblood colour of the main frame and bag gives a classic British feel, nicely offset by the Ivory extremities and brown leather saddle.

We’ve admired Brompton from afar for a while… what is it about CSC that attracted you to work with us?

Ross: I'd first become aware of CSC from the old Google ads that featured Julie, and then always thought highly of them as they were all about manufacturing in the UK, but hadn't really looked too closely at the product range. Our first meeting was at their Covent Garden store and I was instantly excited about the colour possibilities and the real enthusiasm to work out a design that really worked with the bike.

How have the Brompton bike and the classic satchel evolved over the years?

Ross: Our team of designers are always looking at ways to improve the ride quality, reduce weight and manufacture efficiently. In the last few years we've really focused on the touch points, improving the brakes, gear triggers, grips and saddle which has really improved the ride experience. We also moved to a new factory last year, and that has given us an opportunity to make some behind the scenes improvements to be more efficient and give a better service to our customers, as well as giving us the space to design the future improvements to the bike. Scott: The Cambridge Satchel is an iconic classic. You can't beat a classic! Stylish, timeless and versatile - they are the perfect hybrid of smart and casual, making them the perfect fit for every occasion, from school and university to weekends and adventures. The possibilities are endless. Made here in the UK, all of our bags is made from 100% leather and feature our iconic bicycle logo blind embossed on the reverse for a signature finish. The satchel has evolved to include magnetic buckle closures for ease. We also offer personalisation on all of our bags. All of our products are created with the design and functionality at heart.

What about the collaboration are you most excited about?

Ross: It will be great to see the bike being cycled about town, but more than anything else I hope it may inspire some entrepreneurs and designers wondering about manufacturing in the UK to take the plunge and go for it! Scott: There is perfect synergy between both Brompton and CSC. We are both passionate about design and functionality as well as British manufacturing. We have created a beautiful special edition bike using our signature colours but we are so excited that our Batchel can now be purchased to compliment any Brompton bike. The bags are made from 100% leather at our factory in Leicester and include a co-branded logo. Our top handle makes the bag easy to manoeuvre and the three colours we are offering are a statement for any Brompton bike!

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Looking for some #CSCspotted competition inspiration? Look no further.

You may (or may not) already know that every month we choose one lucky #CSCspotted entrant to win a brand new bag. All you have to do is upload a photo of you and your bag to Instagram with #CSCspotted in the caption (and don’t forget to tag us @camsatchelco) to be in with a chance to win.

We love seeing photos of you out and about with your bags and with 2000+ entries, picking a few of our favourites for this blog post was very difficult indeed.

We hope they get you inspired to upload your own pic, we already can’t wait to see them!

Outfit envy, bag envy…everything about this is dreamy! @belleandbunty

Last months winner, the lovely @arseniclace.

Tote bags + flowers = made for each other. @loveclothblog

Sunny day essentials. @venturapix

What’s in my bag? @thelittlestbau

#squadgoals @sissi_cheng

Keeping things classic. @occhiospy

For adventurers. @livpurvis

Don’t forget to upload your pictures with #CSCspotted!

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/happy-birthday-maam2017-04-04T12:02:00+02:002017-11-27T15:17:46+01:00Happy Birthday Ma'am!Shopify APIThe Cambridge Satchel Company has teamed up with The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust to create a special, limited edition, collection of bags to celebrate excellence in British Craftsmanship and Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday.

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The Cambridge Satchel Company has teamed up with The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust to create a special, limited edition, collection of bags to celebrate excellence in British Craftsmanship and Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday. The collection has been handmade in England at The Cambridge Satchel Company factory in Leicester. We asked Scott Simpson, Head of Product at CSC and QEST Ambassador to talk us through the new collection and why it’s so important to us.

A Royal Moment: Our Founder & CEO Julie Deane meets Her Majesty The Queen in December 2014, after receiving her OBE for Services to Entrepreneurship.

“We are excited to launch our collaboration with the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) particularly as it coincides with the charity’s patron, Her Majesty The Queen’s, 90th birthday.

The collaboration is a perfect fit with Qest’s focus on excellence in British craftsmanship and The Cambridge Satchel Company’s passion for all things British. It is a natural fit given that our Founder, Julie Deane, is an Ambassador for the charity and our commitment to making our products in the United Kingdom wherever possible.

The collection has been beautifully created using saddle leather with an Oxblood colour base and Navy trims on each bag, and is finished with brass hardware and a gold foil embossed QEST and Cambridge Satchel logo. The QEST seal is placed on the front of each bag.

The saddle leather is vegetable tanned using traditional methods and using sustainable extracts. This leather has been specially selected for its high quality, smooth grain and its long-lasting resistance to outdoor elements meaning that it ages beautifully. It is a rich leather with a beautiful, natural appearance.

This special edition collection includes some of the most iconic styles created by the Cambridge Satchel Company including:

11 inch Classic Satchel – A smart, versatile and unisex bag.

13 inch Classic Satchel – A smart, versatile and unisex bag.

The Folio Bag – The Folio bag is smart, sleek and stylish. Perfect for A4 files, a lightweight laptop and a small electronic device.

Bridge Bar Closure Bag – The Bridge Closure bag welcomes a new fastening with a smart and sophisticated new look. Perfect for a 13” laptop or small electronic devices.

Binocular Case – The Binocular case is inspired by heritage binocular cases and HM The Queen’s love of horse racing. This bag is both a functional and stylish multi-purpose edition to the collection.”

Scott, Head of Product

Key Product information:

100% Leather

Made in Great Britain

Branded hardware

Top Handles

Adjustable / detachable shoulder straps

Julie Deane, CEO & Founder of The Cambridge Satchel Company, is an Ambassador for QEST and passionately supports British craftsmanship through the work of the charity and her own factory.

A donation of 20% will be made to QEST from every bag sold.

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/fortnum-mason-complimentary-personality-event2017-03-23T13:45:00+01:002017-11-27T15:17:46+01:00Fortnum & Mason - Complimentary Personality EventShopify APIWe’re very proud to now be stocking our bags in Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly. Established in 1707, Fortnum’s is one of London’s oldest and most prestigious department stores.

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We’re very proud to now be stocking our bags in Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly. Established in 1707, Fortnum’s is one of London’s oldest and most prestigious department stores. Not only is it a beautiful building, it’s also a wonderful destination for gifts or the perfect place for a tea and cake pit-stop on a shopping weekend in London. A quintessentially British landmark like Fortnum & Mason is a perfect home for our satchels, inspired by the traditional British leather schoolbag from a time gone by.

To celebrate, this Saturday, for one day only, our team will be offering complimentary personalisation with every purchase of one of our bags. Perfect for a last minute Mother’s Day gift (how nice to take your mum to get her a bag and then celebrate with cake in the teashop!) or a treat for yourself. You can choose from our range of letters and symbols to give your bag that unique finishing touch. We’ll emboss your bag on the day while you wait, so you can see it being personalised right before your eyes.

You’ll find us in the accessories department on the second floor, visit the Fortnum & Mason website for store opening time information.

We’ll see you there on Saturday!

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/cscxbrompton-behind-the-scenes2017-03-23T12:52:00+01:002017-11-27T15:17:47+01:00#CSCXBrompton Behind The ScenesShopify APITo launch our brand new collaboration with British brand Brompton, manufacturer of the iconic folding bike, we headed to our hometown of Cambridge for a photo and video shoot.

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To launch our brand new collaboration with British brand Brompton, manufacturer of the iconic folding bike, we headed to our hometown of Cambridge for a photo and video shoot.

Together, we’ve created three bespoke leather Batchels designed to incorporate with the front carrier system of any Brompton bike. As part of the collaboration, Brompton have also taken our signature Oxblood colour and created a brand new exclusive bike complete with our iconic logo and leather trimmings.

Cambridge is a famous cycling city so we couldn’t imagine a better backdrop for our shoot. Here’s what happened behind the scenes on the #CSCxBrompton bike ride.

We visited all of our favourite spots around the city. First stop, the Market Square. Then down to Jesus Lock to watch the punters, stopping of course, at our favourite restaurant Fitzbillies for a cinnamon bun.

Finally, saving the prettiest to last, we headed to Portugal Place, a street lined with brightly colour houses and and even brighter bikes!

Our models for the day were made up of members of both The Cambridge Satchel Company and Brompton Team. So, say hello to Maria, our Head of Graphic Design with the Brompton Batchel in Oxblood; Ella, our Marketing Executive with the Brompton Batchel in Turksih Green. And Nick, Press Officer at Brompton with the Brompton Batchel in Lagoon Blue.

Not forgetting the behind the camera team, made up of Anna, the photographer and Owen, the videographer and his team... all overseen by our Creative Content Producer, Sarah.

Our Marketing Executive, Ella definitely made the most of her outfit. All the clothes for the shot were provided by Boden (thanks Boden!).

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/mothering-sunday-classic-with-a-twist2017-03-21T13:55:00+01:002017-11-27T15:17:50+01:00Mothering Sunday - Classic With A TwistShopify API
By Julie Deane OBE, Founder and CEO of The Cambridge Satchel Company

In preparing to write this I started reading about Mother’s Day – the grand issue of the positioning of the apostrophe being a driver.

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By Julie Deane OBE, Founder and CEO of The Cambridge Satchel Company

In preparing to write this I started reading about Mother’s Day – the grand issue of the positioning of the apostrophe being a driver. In fact the apostrophe should be before the s, as the day was established to celebrate the greatest mother you have known – your mother, rather than be a blanket celebration and in fact as I am writing from Britain I should be calling it Mothering Sunday as Mother’s Day is the US day which is, of course, in May.

So, having established that this is already not as easy I had thought I feel I can employ that much used phrase “A twist on a classic” and how I choose to celebrate a mother is by recognizing that she is so much more, it’s all a question of hats.

Mothering Sunday, as well as Mother’s Day, is more than 100 years old – how things have changed in that time. Many of us are now free to have careers and enjoy real choice, we vote, we get involved. We wear so many more hats – I am a mother of two wonderful teenagers, but I am also a daughter, a friend, a CEO, a founder, a woman with interests, passions and projects.

So on this special day – whatever you choose to call it and however you choose to mark it, please do your mother the honour of recognizing that she is a remarkable person, with all that involves. Perhaps the greatest gift you can give her (and yourself) is to spend time with her and find out how she has grown, who she is and celebrate together.

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https://eu.cambridgesatchel.com/blogs/journal/keep-things-personal2017-03-16T16:56:00+01:002019-03-11T15:34:00+01:00Keep Things PersonalAlison GreenThere’s something quite lovely about owning something that feels like it belongs to you and only you. Once you’ve picked the bag or accessory you love and the colour you want, we can’t think of a more classic finishing touch than adding your initials, or a symbol, onto the leather.

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There’s something quite lovely about owning something that feels like it belongs to you and only you. Once you’ve picked the bag or accessory you love and the colour you want, we can’t think of a more classic finishing touch than adding your initials, or a symbol, onto the leather. We’re excited to offer a unique personalisation service online and in store that means you end up with a bag that is very much one of a kind. You can choose from our range of symbols and letters in a variety of colours and finishes. The only difficult part is deciding what to emboss. We’ve pulled together a list of some amazing images posted by our customers showcasing some great examples of what to emboss on your bag or accessory. We hope this gives you some inspiration!